UNITED NATIONS
JOURNAL
Sixteenth Session of the Conference of the Parties (COP 16)
2-13 December 2024
UNCCD
Programme of Meetings and Agenda
Official meetings
Joint CRIC&CST Plenaries
CRIC 2nd session
Improving the procedures for communication of information as well as the quality and formats of reports to be submitted to the Conference of the Parties (item 3)
(ICCD/CRIC(22)/7–ICCD/COP(16)/CST/8 and ICCD/CRIC(22)/8)
Interactive dialogue
Introduction and discussion
CST 2nd session
Interfacing science and policy, and sharing knowledge (item 4)
(c) Information on modalities for reporting on the UNCCD 2018–2030 Strategic Framework
(ICCD/CRIC(22)/7-ICCD/COP(16)/CST/8, ICCD/CRIC(22)/8)
Interactive dialogue
Introduction and discussion
Committee of the Whole
COW 2nd meeting
1. Policy frameworks and thematic issues (item 4)
- Migration (ICCD/COP(16)/18, ICCD/COP(16)/22)
- Land tenure (ICCD/COP(16)/19, ICCD/COP(16)/22)
Introduction and discussion
2. 2018–2030 Strategic Framework of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (item 2)
(c) Follow-up on the midterm evaluation of the 2018–2030 Strategic Framework of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (ICCD/COP(16)/2, ICCD/COP(16)/22)
Introduction and discussion
Committee for the Review of the Implementation of the Convention
CRIC 3rd meeting
Securing of additional investments and relations with financial mechanisms (item 4)
(b) Update on the Global support Programme in support of UNCCD reporting (ICCD/CRIC(22)/7-ICCD/COP(16)/CST/8 and ICCD/CRIC(22)/8)
(a) Report by the Global Environment Facility on the financing of programmes and projects concerning desertification/land degradation and drought (ICCD/CRIC(22)/4 and ICCD/CRIC(22)/8/Add.1)
Introduction and discussion
Contact groups
CoW contact group on Budget
CST Contact Group
COW Contact Group on other matters
CRIC/CST Joint Contact Group
Special events
High-level interactive dialogue: Gender Caucus
HerLand: Women's leadership for Sustainable Land Management
Action agenda
Business 4 Land Champions
From Riyadh to Belem: the Rio Trio Initiative for Public-Private Action
Land Day will kick off with an inspirational segment, followed by key voices from land degradation, climate and biodiversity conventions, UNDP, UNEP, WBCSD, the Global Compact, and the COP presidencies of 2024 and 2025. Together, they'll explore collaborative strategies to restore 1.5 billion hectares by 2030, harness synergies, and advance joint action across society.
Symposium on Nature-based Solutions
This high-level session will explore how nature-based solutions (NbS) can drive Land Degradation Neutrality and the 2030 Agenda, showcasing real-world strategies and the ecological, social, and economic benefits of harnessing natural ecosystems.
"The New Nature of Business: The Path to Prosperity and Sustainability"
This session envisions a shift where businesses embrace a "nature agenda" for sustainable, inclusive prosperity, urging companies to adapt for continued success and addressing why current practices fall short. Drawing from his recent book, André Hoffmann presents a template for “sustainable prosperity,” with case studies like Roche and IKEA that thrived by embracing change, offering solutions to balance business needs with environmental impact, shareholders with stakeholders, and short- with long-term profits.
Resilience of Mountain Ecosystems in Drylands and Beyond
This side event spotlights the crucial role of mountains and mountain communities in drylands as providers of ecosystem services and water, enhancing the international awareness of issues affecting mountain countries, including land degradation, drought, climate change and biodiversity loss. It also seeks to revitalize efforts aimed at addressing these challenges and boosting ecosystem and community resilience.
The Business 4 Land Expert Consultation Session
This consultation session will gather diverse expertise to shape the design of the B4L 2025-26 working groups. It aims to identify priority intervention points to empower corporations to adopt land-positive practices. Please note that this event is invitation only. If you believe that your expertise would be well suited to contribute to the consultation, please reach out to langerer [at] unccd.int (langerer[at]unccd[dot]int).
Boosting the Resilience of Desert Oases
The side event will raise awareness about the strategic value of desert oases ecosystems, and their economic, social and environmental role, highlight the challenges they face from human activities and climate change, and the need for adaptive solutions to enhance food security, biodiversity, and resilience of local communities and the ecosystem.
Land Restoration Moonshot: Success Stories
This session will highlight high-level land restoration initiatives and flagships around the globe. The audience will get to know land restoration initiatives around the world through the display of video footage and a panel discussion of implementers.
The Business for Land Forum
The Business 4 Land Forum is a high-level gathering to spotlight the intersection of business, finance, and policy. The forum aims to catalyse private sector action to address one of the most pressing global challenges of our time: restoring and protecting the world’s soil and water resources
Great Green Wall: Lessons from Ongoing Regional Programs
This session will highlight opportunities to enhance the impact of the Great Green Wall through improved coordination, monitoring, and integration of environmental priorities. It will showcase regional support programs and explore strategies to strengthen collaboration and maximize collective success.
Global Rangelands Standards: A Framework for Sustainable Pastoral Futures
Rangelands are vital ecosystems supporting biodiversity, livelihoods, and food security but face threats from land degradation and climate change. At COP16’s Land Day, the Rangeland Stewardship Council (RSC) will showcase the Global Rangelands Standard (GRS) as a key tool for sustainable management, fostering collaboration and promoting restoration efforts.
The Role of the Private Sector in Combating Desertification: Water and Food Security
This side event will explore the vital role of the private sector in combating desertification through innovative programs focused on water and food security. It will highlight successful partnerships, best practices, and opportunities for collaboration between businesses, governments, and NGOs. It will also provide insights into the Arab Fund for Economic & Social Development’s new private sector strategy.
VACS Champions
The Vision for Adapted Crops and Soils aims to build resilient food systems that are grounded in diverse, nutritious, and climate-adapted crops that grow in healthy, fertile soils. This event will demonstrate how VACS champions -- private businesses and NGOs -- are addressing land degradation and improve food security.
COP Presidency Event on Rangelands
This session aims to amplify political attention to rangelands, mobilize investments, and foster international collaboration through initiatives such as the formation of a "Coalition of Rangeland States" and the development of a roadmap toward COP17 in Mongolia
Land of Opportunities Pitching Competition
The pitching competition brings together young ecopreneurs and top business leaders to showcase innovative land restoration solutions. A selected number of ecopreneurs from around the world will pitch to a panel of esteemed judges, competing for funding and networking opportunities to scale their impactful start ups.
Land Restoration Moonshot: Scaling finance, Empowering People
This event will explore the urgent need for $1.6 trillion in global investments to achieve land restoration targets, emphasizing the critical role of partnership-driven local actions and innovative financing strategies, including subsidy reform and private sector engagement, to foster sustainable, community-focused solutions.
Fashion 4 Land
The Fashion4Land event will unravel the intricate connection between land and the textiles industry. The session will explore the ways in which different fiber choices impact land and soil health and encourage holistic approaches to land use by the fashion industry.
High-Level Closing
Land Day will be formally closed by the Deputy Executive Secretary of the UNCCD alongside high-level speakers, summarizing key take-aways and actions for the future and answering to guests questions.
Other meetings
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Negotiation Team
Indigenous Peoples Caucus
Meeting of the Regional Implementation Annex for Central and Eastern Europe (Annex V)
CSO Consultation
Meeting of the Regional Implementation Annex for Africa (Annex I)
Meeting of the Regional Implementation Annex for Asia (Annex II)
Meeting of the Regional Implementation Annex for Latin America and the Caribbean (Annex III)
Riyadh Action Agenda: Finance Dialogue
EU-JUSCANZ consultations
Group of Arab States coordination meeting
Side events
207 - International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) - Launch of the CGIAR 2030 Global Strategy for Resilient Drylands Pioneering agri-science for thriving global dryland communities
244 - ICRISAT - Perennial Crops: A Dependable and Cost-effective Solution to Vulnerable Ecosystems in the Drylands
305 - Land Coalition Women for the future: Enabling women-led rangeland restoration and resilience
317 - IUCN Scaling up agroecology for restoration and conservation in mosaic landscapes
33 - CIFOR-ICRAF Advancements in Soil Health and Land Restoration Monitoring
351 - Green Finance Institute Nature-based Revenue Models for Land Restoration
381 - The Nature Conservancy Models for Large-Scale Finance for Permanent Lands Resilience
116 - Arab Gulf Program for Development “AGFUND” - Prince Talal International Prize: 25 years of Innovation
120 - Organisation internationale de la Francophonie (OIF-IFDD) Solutions et innovations de gestion durable des terres en Francophonie
121 - Natural Capitalism Solutions Combating Desertification, Food Insecurity and Climate Change in Arid Environments Globally
162 - European Commission (EU) The Regreening Africa Approach – Scaling Up and Out
294 - OECD (lead) The land-water nexus: valuing and governing the water cycle as a global common good
3 - SAUDI GREEN BUILDING FORUM Role of Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) in Combating Desertification
68 - Zambezi Watercourse Commission (ZAMCOM) Promoting Nature-based Solutions (N-bS) to Build Resilient Landscapes and Communities in the Zambezi Watercourse through Investment in Climate, People and Nature Related Interventions.
Management Institute (IWMI) From Data to Action: Inclusive Multidimensional Understanding of Land, Water and Communities Fragility in MENA
196 - Future Forest CSO Alliance & Awards” with K pop fans
202 - Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research (PIK) From research to action: Leveraging scientific evidence on the land-based planetary boundaries for effective solutions
30 - Global Environment Facility GEF-8 and Beyond: Securing a Sustainable Future for Land
325 - UNCCD CSO Panel/ Fundación Ambiente y Recursos Naturales 30 years of the UNCCD and COP16: the good, the pending and the role of civil society in combatting desertification at all levels
329 - The Nature Conservancy Resilient Watersheds –Sustainable Finance Mechanism for Protecting and Restoring Africa’s Water Towers
386 : Sharing Russia’s Experience in Combating Desertification and Application of the Methodology of Land Degradation Neutrality for the Assessment of Land Degradation
86 - ICESCO Strengthening Soil Health and Climate Resilience: Sustainable Forest and Land Management in Sub-Saharan Africa & West Asia
Consórcio Nordeste/ Northeast Consortium Caatinga: Land use, people and their knowledge
110 - Convention on Migratory Species Reaching Land Neutrality Targets through habitat restoration for migratory species
172 - Oxfam International Putting Care at the centre of land Governance and management.
179 - Landscape Restoration as a Pathway to Peace
19 - United Nations Economic Commission for Europe Dry Lands, Green Cities: United for Urban Land Restoration Blueprints for Planning, Funding and Implementing Urban Tree Initiatives in Dryland Cities” The Trees in Dry Cities Coalition
192 - Youth Initiative for Land in Africa (Yilaa) Securing land tenure among youth for resilience and restoration amidst changing landscapes
221 - Department of Combating Desertification， National Forestry and Grassland Administration of P.R.China Restore Degraded Land, Promote Green Development
311 - AUDA-NEPAD Attracting Investments and Climate Financing to Accelerate Forests Landscape Restoration, Promote Inclusivity and Combat Desertification
335 - International Network for Bamboo and Rattan (INBAR) BAMBOO BASED INNOVATION FOR UPSCALING LANDSCAPE RESTORATION AND GREEN GROWTH IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
62 - Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment, South Africa Scaling Up of efforts and mobilization of resources towards the implementation of the SADC Great Green Wall Initiative
Alliance of Bioversity and CIAT Landscape Restoration as a Pathway to Peace
113 - United Nations University –Making Voluntary Carbon Markets Work for Africa’s Sustainable Future
130 - Consórcio Nordeste/Northeast Consortium The Caatinga Fund: a green financialization initiative for the only uniquely Brazilian biome
314 - Drynet/Indigo development & change Enhancing the role of civil society in the UNCCD to achieve Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN)
350 - Green Finance Institute Private sector financing for nature in the MENA region
EMG Roundtable of Heads of UN agencies and Senior Officials
UNYouth Initiative High-level roundtable: Enhancing coherence, complementarity, and collaboration among the Rio Conventions
Summary of meetings
Conference of the Parties
Tuesday, 3 December 2024
3rd meeting
Ministerial Round Table: Unlocking public and private finance for Land Restoration and Drought Resistance.
Round table 2 was co-chaired by His Excellency Aziz Abdukhakimov (Minister of Ecology, Environmental Protection and Climate Change of Uzbekistan) and His Excellency Pasi Hellman (Under-Secretary of State for Development Policy in Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Finland).
Welcome remarks were delivered by Mr. Ibrahim Thiaw (Executive Secretary of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification).
Remarks were also delivered by His Excellency Muhammad Al Jasser (President of the Islamic Development Bank) (also on behalf of the Arab Coordination Group), Mr. Abdulhamid Alkhalifa (President of the OPEC Fund for International Development), Mr. Achim Steiner (Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme), Mr. Mahmoud Mohieldin (United Nations Special Envoy for Financing the 2030 Agenda), Mr. Simon Stiell (Executive Secretary of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change), Ms. Astrid Schomaker (Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity), Ms. Gelsomina Vigliotti (Vice President of the European Investment Bank) and Ms. Valerie Hickey (Director at the World Bank).
A presentation was made by His Excellency Khalid A. Al-Falih, Minister of Investment of Saudi Arabia.
4th meeting
Ministerial Dialogue: Impacts of Land Degradation and Drought on Forced Migration, Security and Prosperity
Round table 3 was co-chaired by His Excellency Adrian Forde (Minister of Environment, Green and Blue Economy of Barbados) and His Excellency Hugo Morán Fernández (Secretary of State for the Environment of Spain).
Introductory remarks were delivered by Mr. Ibrahim Thiaw (Executive Secretary of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification) and by Mr. Baaba Maal.
Remarks were also delivered by His Excellency Carlos Alvarado Quesada (former President of Costa Rica) and Ms. Ugochi Daniels (Deputy Director General for Operations of the International Organization for Migration).
Closing of the high-level segment
The Conference heard statements by the Co-Chairs of each the three ministerial dialogues.
The President made a statement.
The Conference was informed that the Riyadh Ministerial Declaration would be annexed to the report of the Conference.
The Executive Secretary of the UNCCD secretariat made a statement.
The meeting was adjourned.
Committee for the Review of the Implementation of the Convention
Tuesday, 3 December 2024
1st meeting
Opening of the twenty-second session of the Committee for the Review of the Implementation of the Convention
The Chair opened the session and made a statement.
The Deputy Executive Secretary of the UNCCD secretariat made a statement.
Statements were made by the following representatives: China (on behalf of the Regional Implementation Annex for Asia (Annex II)), Angola (on behalf of the Regional Implementation Annex for Africa (Annex I)), the European Union, Hungary (on behalf of the Regional Implementation Annex for the Northern Mediterranean (Annex IV)), Armenia (on behalf of the Regional Implementation Annex for Central and Eastern Europe (Annex V)) and the State of Palestine (on behalf of the Arab Group).
Statements were also made by the following representatives: Timor-Leste, Brazil, the Marshall Islands, Burundi, Togo, Yemen, Lebanon, Venezuela (Bolivarian Republic of), Turkmenistan, Cuba and Bahrain.
A representative of a civil society organization made a statement on behalf of civil society organizations.
Organizational matters [item 1]
(a) Adoption of the agenda and organization of work
The Committee began its consideration of the item and sub-item.
A representative of the UNCCD secretariat introduced and orally revised the tentative schedule of work, which the Committee adopted.
The consideration of the sub-item was concluded.
(b) Election of officers other than the Chair of the Committee for the Review the Implementation of the Convention
The Committee began its consideration of the sub-item.
The Committee appointed Rodrigo Andrade Ramírez of Chile as Vice-Chair of the Committee.
In line with rule 25 of the rules of procedure of the Conference, the Committee confirmed the appointment by Parties of Mirko Knezevic of Montenegro and of Anait Khurshudyan of Uzbekistan to replace the Chair of Montenegro and the Vice-Chair of Uzbekistan respectively until the end of the twenty-second session.
The Committee agreed to establish a Contact Group and appoint Mr. Alwin Dornelly of Saint Lucia as facilitator.
The Committee concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item 1 and its sub-item (b).
Effective implementation of the Convention at national, subregional and regional levels [item 2]
(c) Performance of Convention institutions and subsidiary bodies
(b) Multi-year workplan for Convention institutions and subsidiary bodies
A representative of the UNCCD secretariat introduced the relevant reports.
(a) Review of the report of the Committee for the Review of the Implementation of the Convention on its twenty-first session
The Rapporteur introduced the report.
A representative of civil society made a statement on behalf of civil society organizations.
The Committee concluded this stage of its consideration of agenda item agenda item 2 and its sub-items (a) to (c).
The meeting was adjourned.
Committee on Science and Technology
Tuesday, 3 December 2024
1st meeting
Opening of the fifteenth session of the Committee on Science and Technology (CST 16)
The sixteenth session of the Committee on Science and Technology was opened by Mr. Hector Manuel Arias Rojo, Chair of the Committee on Science and Technology, who delivered his opening statement.
A statement was made by Ms. Andrea Meza Murillo, Deputy Executive Secretary of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification.
Statements were made by the representatives of Egypt (on behalf of the Regional Implementation Annex for Africa (Annex I), Hungary (on behalf of the Regional Implementation Annex for Northern Mediterranean (Annex IV)), the Islamic Republic of Iran (on behalf of the Asia-Pacific Group), Bosnia and Herzegovina (on behalf of the Regional Implementation Annex for Central and Eastern Europe (Annex V)).
Statements were also made by the representatives of the Syrian Arab Republic, the United States of America and the Dominican Republic.
A statement was also made by the representative of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
A statement was also made by a representative of civil society.
Organizational matters [item 1]
Adoption of the agenda and organization of work [item 1 (a)]
The Committee began its consideration of the item and adopted its provisional agenda and schedule of work as orally amended.
Election of officers other than the Chair of the CST- Appointment of the Rapporteur of the Committee [item 1 (b)]
The Committee appointed Ms. Nana Bolashvili of Georgia as CST Vice-Chair in replacement of Mr. Hamid Čustović of Bosnia and Herzegovina.
The Committee appointed Mr. Ahmed Abdelati Ahmed Ali of Egypt as Rapporteur of CST 16.
Establishment of Contact Groups and appointment of Facilitators
The Committee established a contact group and appointed Mr. Joseph Noel of Grenada as facilitator of the contact group.
Items resulting from the work programme of the Science-Policy Interface for the biennium 2020 – 2024: Evidence on sustainable land use systems and their potential to address desertification/land desegregation and drought [item 2 (a)]
The Committee began its consideration of the item. The UNCCD secretariat introduced the agenda sub-item. An interactive dialogue was moderated by a Co-Chair of the Science-Policy Interface (SPI). Co-Leads delivered their presentations.
Comments were made by representatives of Algeria, the European Union, Japan and the Russian Federation.
A statement was also made by the representative of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
The SPI members and the UNCCD secretariat responded to questions from the floor.
Items resulting from the work programme of the Science-Policy Interface for the biennium 2020 – 2021: Evidence on historical global and regional aridity trends and future projections that may contribute to expanding drylands and affected populations and the adaptation approaches [item 2 (b)]
The UNCCD secretariat introduced the agenda sub-item. An interactive dialogue was moderated by a Co-Chair of the Science-Policy Interface (SPI). Co-Leads delivered their presentations.
Comments were made by representatives of the European Union, Switzerland, Morocco and Lesotho.
A statement was also made by the representative of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).
The SPI Co-Leads responded to questions from the floor.
The meeting was adjourned.
Announcements
Registration for Delegates
Registration for delegations of country Parties, United Nations organisations, intergovernmental and non-governmental organisations, side event participants, media and other participants will take place as follows:
Any changes to the opening hours of the registration desk will be communicated in the Official Journal of the session.
Identity badges will be issued at the time of registration, and participants are requested to wear them at all times, as they will not be allowed access to the session venue without presenting them.
Credentials
Delegations are advised to contact Ms. Aphrodite Smagadi (00966 568701092) and Mr. Stadler Trengove (00966 568682169), AREA B, Office no 11 – Legal Office as soon as possible.
Electronic Information Service
Delegations are advised that wireless internet access is available throughout the venue. The network name is COP16 Public, and no password is required.
A Computer Center is located in Area-C, providing 100 workstations and printing facilities. An ICT Helpdesk counter is also available in the same area to assist with technical support.
A link to the stream of the meetings of the COP 16 session can be found on the UN Web TV website, the COP 16 page of the UNCCD website.
Funding for eligible participants
The Daily Subsistence Allowance (DSA) for eligible participants will be distributed from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM. Please ensure you collect your allowance during these hours at the DSA room, which is located in Area C.
Lost and Found
The Lost and Found service is located near the Registration area, offering convenient access near the Main Entrance.
Media Accreditation
All journalists must be accredited to attend. Accreditation can be completed through the Online Registration System (ORS). Additional information, including the full agenda and session details, is available on the COP16 website.
For inquiries, contact press [at] unccd.int (press[at]unccd[dot]int)
Medical Support and Emergency Response
Medical services will be provided throughout the event by qualified healthcare professionals, ensuring that assistance is readily available. The Medical Care Center is located near the Registration area, close to the Main Entrance.
Emergency Response:
- Immediate Action: Medical vehicles will be stationed on-site to ensure a rapid response in case of emergencies.
- Coordination with Local Services: Collaboration with local emergency teams will be ensured to manage serious medical situations effectively.
- Health and Safety Standards: All procedures will adhere to the most current guidelines from the World Health Organization (WHO) and local health authorities.
- Ambulance Placement: Ambulances will be strategically located at key areas, including the Blue Zone and VIP sections, to ensure quick access to medical care.
You can find a list of Emergency Contact Numbers here.
The KSA Emergency number is 112 (reachable without a SIM card).
Meeting Rooms for Regional and Interest Groups
Requests for inclusion in the schedule of meetings of regional and interest groups should be communicated to:
Kayhan UI (kul [at] unccd.int (kul[at]unccd[dot]int) ; phone: 00966-544050235) or Mahamadou Tari Bako (mbako [at] unccd.int (mbako[at]unccd[dot]int) ; phone: 00966-568723965).
Prince Talal International Prize Ceremony 2024
The ceremony of Prince Talal International Prize for Human Development will be held at Four Seasons Hotel Riyadh on December 5th, 2024. Participation of COP delegates is by invitation only.
Shuttle Service and Interactive Map
To facilitate seamless transportation during COP 16, a dedicated shuttle service has been arranged between the conference venue and official hotels.
Use our Interactive Map to explore routes and locations, including shuttle pickup and drop-off points, along with timetables for transportation between hotels, the venue, and the airport. This resource is also available in the app under COP 16 Information.
We encourage participants to use the shuttle service to minimize environmental impact and ease transportation logistics. Thank you for contributing to a sustainable COP 16!
The UNCCD Conference App
The UNCCD Conference App is an easy tool for participants of official UNCCD events to have access to the latest conference schedules, all official documents and other relevant information related to the UNCCD process and conference logistics, including an interactive map for shuttle services. It also provides information on the latest up-to-date schedule of events in the Blue Zone.
The UNCCD Conference App is relevant for all delegates and other participants of all sessions of the UNCCD Conference of Parties (COP), the Committee of Science and Technology (CST) and the Committee for the Review of the Implementation of the Convention (CRIC).
